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Out of Nowhere, Making a Joyful, and Most Memorable, Noise

Out of St. Louis and in the spirit of The Goat Rodeo Sessions, The Punch Brothers and Mark O'Connor, The 442s have made a joyful, and most memorable, noise on their debut album.
by David McGee
 

 
 
mac i sang featured

No Bigger Heart Than His

Now 91, MAC WISEMAN, The Voice With a Heart, is the focus of (and participant in) a tribute to his extraordinary life and career. PETER COOPER and THOMM JUTZ steered the project.
by David McGee
 

 

 
ernie wartts wheel1

Of Heart, Soul & the Collaborative Dance

The collaborative art of heart and soul via solid new albums by the ERNIE WATTS QUARTET and the combo led by LAFAYETTE HARRIS JR. with guest legend HOUSTON PERSON on tenor sax.
by David McGee
 

 
 
023

With Purpose and Passion

"We were just raising some funds for this amazing junior high school on two Sunday afternoons with the student body and teachers also in attendance,” Darrell Scott writes in the liner copy. It may indeed have been as casual a...
by David McGee
 

 

 
pauls case featured

A New Opera for the 21st Century Canon, By Way of Willa Cather

WILLA CATHER'S short story 'Paul's Place' has been transformed into an opera event by GREGORY SPEARKS and KATHRYN WALAT. Our JOSPEH NEWSOME ranks it 'amongst the finest recorded opera performances of the 21st Century.'
by David McGee
 

 
 
Murph Road Beyond cover

Wherein Murph Lights Out for the Horizon, Yet Again

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY, collaborating with son RYAN MURPHEY, rises to every challenge he sets for himself on ROAD BEYOND THE VIEW, a standout among many in his extensive catalogue.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Feelings Funny, Familiar and So Well Remembered

KACEY JONES is a funny gal, but she's also a singer who can bring it all back home vocally. She reminds us of this repeatedly on her first new music album since 2006, AMEN FOR OLD FRIENDS, concerning those funny, family and so ...
by David McGee
 

 
 
ian tyson carnero

Of Life and Hearts in the Balance

The earth and the hearts of people living on it are in the balance in the potent songs on IAN TYSON's memorable new album, CARNERO VAQUERO. It's a Tyson classic.
by David McGee
 

 

 
joan jeanrenaud featured

Feeling The Vibrations

Post-Kronos Quartet, cellist Joan Jeanrenaud has created one compelling solo work after another. Her latest, VISUAL MUSIC, delivers an unusual range of emotional wallops, says reviewer DERK RICHARDSON.
by David McGee
 

 
 
ilya toshinsky red grass

The Elite Half Hundred of 2016, Part 2

Albums 26 through 50 in Part 2 of the Elite Half Hundred of 2016
by David McGee
 

 

 
bianca rossini vento

Fique Quieto Meu Coração (or, Be Still My Heart)

On her second full album, VENTO DO NORTE, Rio native (now L.A. resident) BIANCA ROSSINI offers Bossa Nova and fresh takes on the mystery and glory of love.
by David McGee
 

 
 
ronnie earl just

And For Tomorrow, Too

On Just for Today, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters deliver an invigorating set of performances recorded in three venues in three Massachusetts towns
by David McGee